Buy now or later?

[jsiseman]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and, admittedly, confused.  It seems that I am catching you in a time of shifting technologies.

I am looking to map out a route using your Bicycle Route 66.  I have read through a bit of the discussion about which version to buy (App or GPX), and see that the App is dead and also the GPX (soon).

Im not sure what to do now: buy the current for of GPX and hope for the best, or wait until you are done with the conversion to RWGPS?

Thanks.

[John Nettles]

First, welcome to the forums.

Question:  Do you have a GPS?  Are you doing the entire route or just a segment? When do you plan on going?  I personally prefer the map in conjunction with the GPS so I would go with the GPX files as I use that as a draft of the route.  I plan a LOT of routes and tend to occasionally wander if route. 
However, the RWGPS sounds like it might be easy.   I do not know when the RWGPS official version will come out but if you are not heading out soon, waiting might be a good idea. 

Finally, I would strongly suggest you go West to East due to the definite prevailing tailwinds overall, especially from Tulsa to Chicago.  I live in Tulsa and host quite a few.  Almost universally, those heading westbound have complained about the headwinds while the eastbounders rarely mention it.  The only time you can almost ensure a tailwind from the NE is if a storm front is coming in and then you are getting wet and/or cold. 

Tailwinds, John

[John Nelson]

I have purchased paper maps alone. I have purchased GPX alone. I have purchased both. My current preference, which I have done several times, is buy the paper maps and create my own GPX files from them. I create one file for each day, and route it directly to my hotel, host or campground.

I did R66 east to west and measured the wind each day with a wind meter. Overall, the wind hurt me, but I would still do it in the same direction anyway. After all, that’s the way the original Route 66 travelers did it. Be sure to watch two movies before you start: “Grapes of Wrath” and “Cars”.

[amywally]

The RidewithGPS Experience for Bicycle Route 66 should be available for purchase by the end of January. You can ready a description and FAQs here: https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/digital-routes/